Frank Merriwell's Alarm; Or, Doing His Best

"Frank Merriwell's Alarm; Or, Doing His Best" by Burt L. Standish is an early 1900's adventure story focused on a group of friends and the difficult situations they navigate in the desert. The story explores the meaning of courage, the strength of friendship, and the need to push on when things get tough. When the boys confront dangers in the arid American desert, they deal with extreme dehydration that tests the boys' will. At first, they are excited, but things take a turn for the worst when they see a fake lake, triggering a conflict; in this situation the boys look to Frank for guidance and he shows his strength by keeping everyone together. Ultimately Frank acts quickly in a race to save his friend Jack from running off in pursuit of the mirage, highlighting the group's physical and emotional problems. It is an overall portrait of endurance in the face of hardship.